MidMichigan Health partners with U of M Health System

MidMichigan Health, which operates hospitals in Gratiot and Glare counties, has entered into a partnership with the University of Michigan Health System.

Both health care organizations signed an agreement to affiliate last week, and leaders from both were on hand Monday in Midland.

Those scheduled to be on hand for the affiliation announcement Monday included Diane Postler-Slattery, president and chief executive officer of MidMichigan Health; physician Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, executive vice president for medical affairs at the University of Michigan and chief executive officer at University of Michigan Health System; Doug Strong, chief executive officer of U-M hospitals and health centers; and physician Lydia Watson, vice president and chief quality and safety officer of MidMichigan Health.

Hirsh-Pescovitz said the affiliation will advance care for patients all over Michigan, and in particular, Midland.

She also said the relationship between the two health systems will improve quality of care and safety.

Postler-Slattery, a Ph.D., said she is excited about the opportunity to be part of a world-class health system and that the affiliation will streamline procedures.

Postler-Slattery said work is being done on a protocol that will mean if a patient undergoes a test in Midland, the same test won’t have to be repeated in Ann Arbor.

Under the new partnership, both MidMichigan Health and the University of Michigan Health System now have a wide range of options for designing new models of care to better serve patients, MidMichigan Health Spokeswoman Bernadette Stocking said.

With a coverage area that includes Isabella, Clare, Gratiot, Midland, Gladwin and several other mid-Michigan counties, MidMichigan Health operates several health parks including one in Mt. Pleasant, along with a number of urgent care centers, including one in Alma and one in Clare.

Home care services including hospice and advanced level practitioners are available throughout MidMichigan.

A national leader in advanced patient care, the University of Michigan Health System is also known for its research to improve human health, and comprehensive education of physicians, health professionals and medical scientists.

University of Michigan Health Systems includes the U-M hospitals and health centers, which attract patients from every county in Michigan as well as from other states and nations, Stocking said.

The University of Michigan Medical School is also part of U-M Health Systems and has a 1,700 physician faculty group practice and a number of research laboratories.

It has earned many recognitions for quality and safety from U.S. News and World Report, Truven Health and the Leapfrog Group.

Susan Field can be reached at 989-779-6075, sfield@michigannewspapers.com or follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/#!/susan.k.field.